☺RADIATION TREATMENT ☼☼☼ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS☻

jnl

Mama G said:

Thanks Sandy. I'm the one
Thanks Sandy. I'm the one who was requesting the QUICK rads. Don't know what to do now that I read what you wrote. Maybe it's better to just do the proven tried but true method!
Either way I'm anxious to be down to that! and off the chemo. Seems like an eternity for 9 more weeks.... Thank the Lord it's not too bad though. WE CAN DO THIS!!!! Together!!!

Good luck to you Sandy with
Good luck to you Sandy with rads. There are a lot of us on here that finished them this summer/fall and will help you if we can.

Leeza

survivorbc09

DebbyM said:

Nope. I just had the
Nope. I just had the "regular radiation treatments". I got along really well and felt very good about having them. My oncologist at my cancer center also felt that there wasn't enough "long term" facts on survival and recurrences with mammosite rads. And, I didn't want to take a chance on going thru that if there wasn't any clear data on if it works. I wanted to be done with bc. You might ask where you got your treatment at Connie for anyone that might be done longer than you.

Debby

Pain
Is anyone still having pain in their boob after rads are done for a couple of months? Mine is still sore. My rads oncologist said this can last for up to a year. Has anyone else had this or been told this? Thanks!

Kylez

LadyParvati said:

So Much GREAT Info!
Wow! I love this thread--there's so much great information! It's nice to learn about the range of possibilities for radiation and its consequences and realize that my experience won't necessarily follow the worst I've read yet be able to prepare mentally for the worst while hoping for the best!

I'm having a bit different rad than most I see here--I'm having accelerated partial irradiation--the MammoSite version--which means rad twice a day for 5 days beginning Dec. 7. I've been told it has a higher risk of fat necrosis--has anyone experienced any problems with fat necrosis? Did it improve over time?

Thanks! Sandy

This thread helped me a lot
This thread helped me a lot when I was having rads Sandy. Ask anything and you always get an answer. I had the "norm" rads and got along pretty well. Wishing you good luck!

KYLEZ ♥

LadyParvati

crselby said:

brachytherapy
Hi Sandy. I had the 5 day, multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy (not the Mammosite device) starting August 30. Four days prior to that I had 45 multicatheters inserted through my breast that had had the lumpectomy. It took 2.5 hours for that procedure but the Mammosite insertion takes far less. Both are surgical procedures and so you will need to be very careful to avoid infection before, during and after you begin the radiation treatments. You should be fine if you do what the nurses tell you, down to the last detail.

Four days after the insertions, I started the treatments, twice a day, at least 6 hours apart. Although whole breast radiation, like these other women are talking about, takes very little time with each session, my treatments required a little radioactive seed to traverse each catheter. That takes a little longer. My sessions were 45 minutes long, but treatment with 45 catheters was a record amount (my surgeon took a huge amount of tissue out) and most women will not have more than 25. The Mammosite device does not have catheters but has a "balloon" into which the radioactive seed is placed for a short time during each session, then it is removed. I watched women with Mammosite devices come and go in 15 minutes! Treatment takes up a lot of your time during these 5 days, but then it's over sooner, right?

After the second treatment on day 4 I hit the "fatigue wall". Out of the blue, I could do nothing more than sleep for the rest of that day. Same feeling hit after the next morning's treatment! It made the removal of the catheters after the final, afternoon treatment on day 5, a great great relief!

Now that I am 2.5 months out from all that, I feel various lumps in that best that come and go, some are tender some are not. I figure, since the rad onc doc was not concerned about it, that these are signs of the tissues healing. That includes, probably, the fat dying and changing, too.

I've read that the resulting fat necrosis makes future mammograms hard to read, so I'm hoping to push for them to be read by someone very experienced, when that time comes. Don't want any more unnecessary biopsies.

But, like you, I too would like to hear from someone who had brachytherapy internal radiation years ago. I'd like to know how things progress for us. Anybody out there who had this newer treatment done a few years ago? Looking for info. Connie

Helping Clear a New Path
Well, Connie, it sounds like you and I are helping clear a new path for those women who will be diagnosed with cancer in years to come. We're not the leaders--those are the women 5 years ahead of us--but we're still in the early group who will help the researchers refine the localized radiation techniques. It's a little scary, isn't it?

It also sounds like you've been through a much more complicated and demanding radiation process than I will have! Wow! I applaud your courage.

There's a newer type of localized treatment that is supposed to be better than either the MammoSite or what you had, but it isn't available in my state. I still feel pretty good about my decision to do MammoSite even though a little nervous.

Wishing us all the best of long-term outcomes!

Sandy

aztec45

Thanks for the Post
Thanks for the post. I will be starting my RADS tomorrow. I am concerned about the fatigue. I am already fatigued as it is since I can't seem to get my red cells back up. I am taking 2 iron tablets per day and have also resorted to eating liver. I can't afford to get even more tired. I am one who has worked through chemo and will work through RADS. I need the money and to keep my insurance up.

Anyway, thanks for the post. I think it has been helpful.

P

jbug

Kylez said:

This thread helped me a lot
This thread helped me a lot when I was having rads Sandy. Ask anything and you always get an answer. I had the "norm" rads and got along pretty well. Wishing you good luck!

KYLEZ ♥

Thanks to all you trailblazers!
This is a great discussion thread. I don't have a date to start, but anticipate mid Dec. A lot of my questions/concerns were adressed throughout. My Rad Onc was great w/ his explanations and calming my fears about radiation...that together w/info from those that have walked the walk is so helpful. I'm concerned about fatigue and how I'm going to do my job and I'm also concerned about tenderness. I had a lumpectomy and have had pain over the site (like ultrasensitive to touch of shirt/bra etc) since. I wear a uniform to work, so it may still be possible w/all that bulk to go braless...but even the t-shirts hurt. Concerned that rads will really make it a lot worse.

Thanks to all for your info

God Bless

Julie

crselby

LadyParvati said:

Helping Clear a New Path
Well, Connie, it sounds like you and I are helping clear a new path for those women who will be diagnosed with cancer in years to come. We're not the leaders--those are the women 5 years ahead of us--but we're still in the early group who will help the researchers refine the localized radiation techniques. It's a little scary, isn't it?

It also sounds like you've been through a much more complicated and demanding radiation process than I will have! Wow! I applaud your courage.

There's a newer type of localized treatment that is supposed to be better than either the MammoSite or what you had, but it isn't available in my state. I still feel pretty good about my decision to do MammoSite even though a little nervous.

Wishing us all the best of long-term outcomes!

Sandy

5 day radiation
Hi Sandy, and all. Sorry this post is so long, but I want to let you-all know about a wonderful alternative to the long radiation regimen most BC patients undergo. However, it is currently only available to women with early stage BC.

It's true that brachytherapy hasn't passed the Stage III clinical trials, but they will be done shortly. The Stage II trials showed a great deal of promise in that the long term recurrance rates for brachytherapy v.s. whole breast irradiation were the SAME. With the Stage III trials leaning that same way, I felt comfortable choosing it.

The other reason I was comfortable with it was because my rad onc is the man who, pretty much, developed the multicatheter system of delivery of internal radiation to the breast over 20 years ago, as a very young doctor. He and his wife (also a rad onc) are leaders in the brachytherapy field, whether it be multicath, Mammosite, SAVI, or Contura. In fact, I came to his offices to speak to a group of surgeons, nurses, and rad oncs from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston who were attending his 2 day class on brachytherapy. I got to show them how well my 90 puncture holes were healing only 2 weeks post rads! They wanted to know why I chose brachytherapy over whole breast. They wanted to know why I chose multi cath v.s. the single entry devices. And they wanted to know, "Did it hurt?"

That was as close to participating in a clinical trial as I have come. I am vigilant for any for which I might be a candidate, but, honestly, a woman usually has to be at the point of just making treatment decisions, not having undergone any treatment yet, to be a candidate for many of the trials. Because of my large breast size I could not under go whole breast radiation without severe damage. And because of my huge cavity size, I could not have the single entry devices (my lumpectomy cavity was larger than their maximum expansion sizes). Therefore, I could not participate in the Stage III brachytherapy v.s. whole breast trail.

But I encourage those of you who have it available to look into it. Twice a day for 5 days! Even if you don't live in the Phoenix area, please visit this web-site for very educational information regarding all types of brachytherapy: www.arizona-breast-cancer-specialists.com You must use the dashes in the url address.

One last fact. Brachytherapy can deliver the radiation so precisely that it can better protect your heart, lungs, and ribs from unwanted amounts. Who wouldn't want that?

lynn1950

survivorbc09 said:

Pain
Is anyone still having pain in their boob after rads are done for a couple of months? Mine is still sore. My rads oncologist said this can last for up to a year. Has anyone else had this or been told this? Thanks!

I had a mastectomy, so I
I had a mastectomy, so I don't have a boob, but I also had radiation that finished a year ago, and I still have pain. I had my one year check-up on November 23 (NED!), and this is what my radiation onc told me: Scar tissue can continue to form for up to a year after treatment, and this can be a source of pain. The fix is deep tissue massage and physical therapy. Since I do yoga, I am going to try the deep tissue massage first. My onc said it may take 3 or 4 sessions to break up the scar tissue.

Hope this helps.

xoxoxoxo Lynn

DebbyM

lynn1950 said:

I had a mastectomy, so I
I had a mastectomy, so I don't have a boob, but I also had radiation that finished a year ago, and I still have pain. I had my one year check-up on November 23 (NED!), and this is what my radiation onc told me: Scar tissue can continue to form for up to a year after treatment, and this can be a source of pain. The fix is deep tissue massage and physical therapy. Since I do yoga, I am going to try the deep tissue massage first. My onc said it may take 3 or 4 sessions to break up the scar tissue.

Hope this helps.

xoxoxoxo Lynn

Thanks you two. I still
Thanks you two. I still have some pain too and I finished a couple of months ago. I thought it was normal.

Debby

Ritzy

LadyParvati said:

So Much GREAT Info!
Wow! I love this thread--there's so much great information! It's nice to learn about the range of possibilities for radiation and its consequences and realize that my experience won't necessarily follow the worst I've read yet be able to prepare mentally for the worst while hoping for the best!

I'm having a bit different rad than most I see here--I'm having accelerated partial irradiation--the MammoSite version--which means rad twice a day for 5 days beginning Dec. 7. I've been told it has a higher risk of fat necrosis--has anyone experienced any problems with fat necrosis? Did it improve over time?

Thanks! Sandy

Wishing you good luck Sandy.
Wishing you good luck Sandy. I had the "normal" radiation treatments. Good luck with your type of rads.

Sue

DianeBC

aztec45 said:

Thanks for the Post
Thanks for the post. I will be starting my RADS tomorrow. I am concerned about the fatigue. I am already fatigued as it is since I can't seem to get my red cells back up. I am taking 2 iron tablets per day and have also resorted to eating liver. I can't afford to get even more tired. I am one who has worked through chemo and will work through RADS. I need the money and to keep my insurance up.

Anyway, thanks for the post. I think it has been helpful.

P

Good info!
Bumping this for some of the newbies starting rads that have questions. This offers a lot of information all at once.

Hugs, Diane ♥

susie09

aztec45 said:

Thanks for the Post
Thanks for the post. I will be starting my RADS tomorrow. I am concerned about the fatigue. I am already fatigued as it is since I can't seem to get my red cells back up. I am taking 2 iron tablets per day and have also resorted to eating liver. I can't afford to get even more tired. I am one who has worked through chemo and will work through RADS. I need the money and to keep my insurance up.

Anyway, thanks for the post. I think it has been helpful.

P

Good luck tomorrow P with
Good luck tomorrow P with rads! You will get tired as rads suck your energy, beside the going everyday for weeks. So, get lots of rest when you can. I even took naps, which helped a lot. And, use your creams from the first day! Good luck to you!

♠♣ Susie ♠♣

jnl

susie09 said:

Good luck tomorrow P with
Good luck tomorrow P with rads! You will get tired as rads suck your energy, beside the going everyday for weeks. So, get lots of rest when you can. I even took naps, which helped a lot. And, use your creams from the first day! Good luck to you!

♠♣ Susie ♠♣

Good advice
This is a great thread for the newbies that will be starting rads. I hope that they can find some help in it. I know I did.

Leeza

susie09

Noel said:

Hi Peggy
I am glad that it has helped so far. Don't be nervous about Monday Peggy. You will be fine. And, the treatments go so fast. It will take you longer to undress than to get zapped. You don't feel anything when the machine is working. Once you get the first one out of the way and you see what happens, you will feel a lot better. I had several wonderful techs everyday that were so nice and helpful. And, I loved my rads oncologist. I saw him about 3 times a week. I hope you have the same experience.

♥Noel

Pushing up for some of the
Pushing up for some of the new ones on here starting rads.

jbug

jnl said:

Good advice
This is a great thread for the newbies that will be starting rads. I hope that they can find some help in it. I know I did.

Leeza

For Monica
Pushing this up for Monica...hope you find the info helpful.

Julie

Katz77

Akiss4me said:

Hi Survivor....
I have not completed my rads yet (getting close) but I was told that it is possible to experience what you are going through. They wanted me to be prepared. I was also told that I would continue to get tired as the acumulative effect from rads lingers for several weeks once treatment ends. Continue to moisturize!! I can't wait till rads is over so I can use a moisturizer I know will not make me itch. All I can use right now is Aloe which also is suppose to help with the hot feeling. They also sell Aloe with Lidocain in it at Walmart or most any drugstore. ♥ Pammy

Warm and fuzzy
I make my own moisturizer. Aloe gel, aquaphor,and the lidocream they gave me to put on my port site to numb it. I have 11 more treatments and so far no redness or itchiness. I also use Calendula salve twice a day. It's made here locally by a lady. Its a flower. Buy it at the plant store. It seems to take out the heat instantly. They may make this salve w this flower in it. I never heard of it before rads. The thigs we learn! Katz

survivorbc09

jbug said:

For Monica
Pushing this up for Monica...hope you find the info helpful.

Julie

Great post
This is a good post for someone starting rads. It has good info from everyone except one.

Good luck to all of you!

HUGS

Megan M

survivorbc09 said:

Great post
This is a good post for someone starting rads. It has good info from everyone except one.

Good luck to all of you!

HUGS

I just finished rads a few
I just finished rads a few weeks ago and this post and the follow up to it really helped me. I see there are a lot of newbies with questions. Maybe, this will help with some. I read these before I made myself visible on the site and they did help me.

Megan

aztec45

Great Post
Great post, Noel,

I finished 33 rounds of RADS January 21, 2010. I will be happy to answer questions or share experiences.

P

Sunrae

aztec45 said:

Great Post
Great post, Noel,

I finished 33 rounds of RADS January 21, 2010. I will be happy to answer questions or share experiences.

P

I just wanted to thank all
I just wanted to thank all you wonderful ladies for posting here and sharing your info and experiences. I'll be having a masectomy in 3 weeks and afterwards rads. At this point I don't know much but I'm keeping this discussion as one of my favorites so I can pull it up when I need it. Thanks again.